Container for secure specimen locking

ABSTRACT

A USB locking mechanism to prevent data stored in a USB storage device from being read by an unauthorized party. A cover fits onto a male USB connector, thereby preventing the connector from being inserted into another device. Removal of the cover in an unauthorized manner will typically destroy the device or render it unreadable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method to prevent a specimen sample, such as a urine sample, from tampering.

2. Description of the Related Art

A person subject to a drug or other medical test may deposit urine (or other bodily specimen) into a container for analysis. It may be possible for the subject of the test to tamper with the specimen in the container. For example, a party who expects that his or her urine will not pass a drug test may wish to replace his or her sample with another person's. Also, even after the specimens are taken, security at a laboratory may present a problem wherein specimens may be tampered with.

What is needed is a way in which a container can be maintained securely such that the contents thereof cannot be tampered with, or evidence of such tampering will be obvious.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improvement in specimen collection devices to prevent or identify tampering.

The above aspects can also be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) a lower portion with a first serial number; (b) a top portion with a second serial number matching the first serial number, the top portion adapted to fit onto the lower portion and adapted to be non-removably attached to the lower portion.

The above aspects can also be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) a bottom portion with a first serial number; (b) a top portion with a second serial number matching the first serial number, the top portion adapted to fit onto the first portion and adapted to be non-removably attached to the bottom portion; (c) a jar securely housed between the top portion and the lower portion; (d) a hollow receiver attached to the bottom portion to receive an insertion member; and (e) the insertion member attached to the top portion with an angular head on one end of the insertion member, the angular head having an end with a slanted portion that ends in a jut and the angular head is made from a malleable material allowing insertion into the receiver but not removal from the receiver.

The above aspects can also be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) storing means for storing a specimen; and (b) means for securing the storing means without breaking the means for securing the storing means.

The above aspects can also be obtained by a method that includes (a) putting a specimen sample in a container; (b) placing the container in a first portion with a first serial number; and (c) locking a second portion onto the first portion, the second portion containing a second serial number that matches the first serial number, the second portion preventing opening of the container and being non-removably attached to the first portion.

These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a front view of an unlocked specimen tampering prevention device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a front view of a locked specimen tampering prevention device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a locked and empty specimen tampering prevention device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a drawing illustrating a side view of an unlocked locking member and receiver, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a drawing illustrating a side view of a locked locking member and receiver, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a top view of a specimen prevention device, according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method to prevent a specimen from being tampered with once the specimen is collected. This can be accomplished by placing the specimen in ajar or other container. The jar can then be secured in a locking apparatus that prevents removal and opening of the jar. In order to remove or open the jar, the locking apparatus must be broken, which will be readily apparent by inspection.

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a front view of an unlocked specimen tampering prevention device, according to an embodiment.

A jar 100 (or other container) can be used to contain medical (and other) specimens such as urine, blood, etc. Thejar 100 is secured by locking apparatus that comprises an upper portion 102 and a lower portion 110. The upper portion 102 and the lower portion 110 can be manufactured and provided to a user (such as an employee of a drug laboratory) separated from each other. The user will manually attach the upper portion 102 and the lower portion 110 which will join in non-removable state. The state is non-removable in that if the upper portion 102 and the lower portion 110 are separated, damage/breakage to the upper and/or lower portions will be apparent.

The upper portion 102 can contain a first serial number 119. The bottom portion 110 can contain a second serial number 118. Both serial numbers can be embedded therein using non-removable stickers, ink, etc., in order that the serial numbers cannot be tampered with. When a jar is placed into the lower portion 110 and the upper portion 102 is attached onto the lower portion 110, the first serial number 119 and the second serial number 118 should typically match. The jar (or other container) can also contain ajar serial number 116 as well. The serial numbers can optionally be recorded in a log or database system.

Thus, if a jar is placed into the locking apparatus, and the locking apparatus is broken, a new locking apparatus will be needed to be placed around the jar which will have a different serial number(s) than the jar and what may be on record.

The upper portion 102 comprises a top 104, a right upper portion 105, and a left upper portion 103. The bottom portion 110 comprises a bottom 112, a right bottom portion 113, and a left bottom portion 111. The left upper portion 103 should typically lie flat on (although not required to do so) on the left lower portion 111. The right upper portion 102 should typically lie flat on (although not required to do so) on the right lower portion 113.

A left insertion member 114 can be physically attached (such as molded) to the left lower portion 111 and can insert into a left hollow receiver 106 which can be physically attached (such as molded) to the left upper portion. A right insertion member 102 can be similar attached to the right upper portion 105 and can insert into a right hollow receiver 115 which can be attached to the right lower portion 113. It is noted that insertion members can be on both lower portions with respective receivers on both upper portions, or can be mixed as illustrated in FIG. 1. Further, the present general inventive concept is not limited to two insertion members with two respective receivers, but can also be implemented with one insertion member with a respective receiver, or any number of insertion members with respective receivers.

Because of the shape of an insertion member and its respective receiver, the insertion member can be inserted but not removed (without obvious breakage) from a respective receiver. This will be discussed below in more detail. Also, the upper portion 102 and the bottom portion 110 are of such shape (e.g. a height, width, etc.) that the jar 100 (or any other kind of container) cannot be opened without breaking the container (which can be made of a material such as glass).

FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a front view of a locked specimen tampering prevention device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates the apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 1 in a locked state which cannot be unlocked without breakage to the apparatus. The upper portion 102 is non-removably attached to the lower portion 110, meaning that the jar 100 cannot be removed from the upper portion 102/lower portion 110 combination without forcefully damaging the upper portion 102 and/or the lower portion 110. This is because the left insertion member 106 is inserted into the left receiver 106 and cannot be removed because of the shape of the left insertion member 106 (to be discussed below in more detail). The right insertion member 107 is inserted into the right receiver 115 and cannot be removed because of the shape of the right insertion member 107 (to be discussed below in more detail).

If the first serial number 119 does not match the second serial number 118, then it can be assumed that the apparatus was tampered with. If an (optional) jar serial number 116 does not match the first serial number 119 and the second serial number 118, it may also be assumed that there was tampering. Further, these serial numbers may be stored in a database for further verification.

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a locked and empty specimen tampering prevention device, according to an embodiment.

A circular top portion 120 of the upper portion 102 can be solid or hollow (as pictured), the latter of which can allow viewing of the top of the jar (not pictured). The jar serial number 116 may also be located on a top lid (not pictured) of the jar (not pictured) which can be viewed through the circular top portion 120. A circular bottom portion 122 can be solid or hollow.

If the apparatus is locked as illustrated in FIG. 3 without ajar (or other container therein), ajar (or other container) cannot be inserted into the apparatus. Thus, the configuration as illustrated in FIG. 3 is for illustration purposes but not recommended for actual use.

FIG. 4A is a drawing illustrating a side view of an unlocked locking member and receiver, according to an embodiment.

An insertion member 130 is attached to a top side 131. The insertion member 130 has an angular head 132. The angular head 132 has a jut 133. A receiver 135 to receive the angular head 132 is attached to a bottom side 134.

FIG. 4B is a drawing illustrating a side view of a locked locking member and receiver, according to an embodiment.

The insertion member 130 is inserted into the receiver 135. The angular head 132 is locked into place in the receiver 135 and cannot be pulled in an upward direction because of the jut 133.

The jut 133 and the angular head 132 may be made of a malleable material such as plastic which can encourage the angular head 132 to (optionally) temporarily compress while being inserted into the receiver 135. However, the jut prevents removal of the insertion member 130 from the receiver 135.

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a top view of a specimen prevention device, according to an embodiment.

A circular top portion 120 of an upper portion of the container can contain a top serial number 140 which should match the other serial numbers to verify non-tampering with the apparatus.

It is noted that any materials can be used to manufacture the described parts herein, such as molded plastic. The locking mechanism (which can include an insertion member and respective receiver) as illustrated in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B can be used in one, two, or any number of times for an apparatus as described herein. The apparatus illustrated in the figures herein illustrate a device with two such mechanisms. As discussed, the head and respective receiver can be located on either the top portion or the bottom portion, and the locations can be mixed in any combination on the locking mechanisms. Further, the presently described apparatus is not limited to a top and bottom portion, but can also be utilized as a left and right portion which can operate in the same manner as described herein. Parts illustrated or described herein as being attached can be physically attached to each other, such as being molded together.

It is also noted that any and/or all of the above embodiments, configurations, variations of the present invention described above can mixed and matched and used in any combination with one another. Any claim herein can be combined with any others (unless the results are nonsensical).

Moreover, any description of a component or embodiment herein also includes hardware, software, and configurations which already exist in the prior art and may be necessary to the operation of such component(s) or embodiment(s).

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A locking apparatus, comprising: a first portion with a first serial number; a second portion with a second serial number matching the first serial number, the second portion adapted to fit onto the first portion and adapted to be non-removably attached to the lower portion.
 2. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: an insertion member with a head on one end of the insertion member, the insertion member attached to the first portion; and a hollow receiver attached to the second portion to receive the insertion member.
 3. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the head is an angular head with an angular shape.
 4. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the angular head comprises an end with a slanted portion that ends in a jut.
 5. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the angular head is made from a malleable material allowing insertion into the receiver but not removal from the receiver.
 6. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising ajar securely housed between the first portion and the second portion.
 7. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising a jar securely housed between the first portion and the second portion.
 8. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 3, further comprising a jar securely housed between the first portion and the second portion.
 9. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising ajar securely housed between the first portion and the second portion.
 10. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising ajar securely housed between the first portion and the second portion.
 11. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the jar includes ajar serial number which matches the first serial number and the second serial number.
 12. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first portion is a top portion and the second portion is a bottom portion.
 13. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first portion is a bottom portion and the second portion is a top portion.
 14. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first portion is a left portion and the second portion is a right portion.
 15. A locking apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first portion is a right portion and the second portion is a left portion.
 16. A locking apparatus, comprising: a bottom portion with a first serial number; a top portion with a second serial number matching the first serial number, the top portion adapted to fit onto the first portion and adapted to be non-removably attached to the bottom portion; a jar securely housed between the top portion and the lower portion; a hollow receiver attached to the bottom portion to receive an insertion member; and the insertion member attached to the top portion with an angular head on one end of the insertion member, the angular head having an end with a slanted portion that ends in a jut and the angular head is made from a malleable material allowing insertion into the receiver but not removal from the receiver.
 17. A locking apparatus, comprising: storing means for storing a specimen; and means for securing the storing means without breaking the means for securing the storing means.
 18. A method of detecting tampering with a specimen sample, the method comprising: putting a specimen sample in a container; placing the container in a first portion with a first serial number; locking a second portion onto the first portion, the second portion containing a second serial number that matches the first serial number, the second portion preventing opening of the container and being non-removably attached to the first portion.
 19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the container has a serial number which matches the first serial number and the second serial number.
 20. A method as recited in claim 18, further comprising removing the container by breaking the first portion and/or the second portion.
 21. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the first portion contains an angular head which slides into a receiver connected to the second portion which prevents removal of the angular head and the first portion. 